Congratulations Jichao, you have prompted the creation of a new word! I think the word that would be most equivalent to «visibility» in this context might be «clusivity» which does not actually exist at this time.
Seeing that invisibility and visibility are antonyms, logically the word inclusivity should have an antonym as well and thus clusivity is born.
Consider if you will that inclusivity is a relatively new word (significant usage begins circa 1930) representing the label for a policy created in response to the elitist concept of exclusivity. My suggestion of course would lead to two different antyonyms for one word but that is not unique in English.
Of course since this is computer related you could also just use boolean logic and choose to use inclusivity for your hypernym, as in inclusivity (state) = true / false. This would not be a new word but could possibly be new usage of the word.
ALTERNATIVELY:
A very interesting question. I approached this from an etymological perspective and found the following (PIE = Proto-Indo-European):
-
include: from the Latin includere: «to shut in»
from in-: «in» (from PIE root en: «in») + claudere: «to shut / close»
related to enclose (from Old French enclore: «surround / contain / confine») -
exclude: from the Latin excludere: «to shut out»
from ex-: «out» (from PIE root eghs: «out») + claudere: «to shut / close»
These in turn led me to explore similar words:
-
seclude: from the Latin secludere: «to shut off»
from se-: «off / apart» + claudere: «to shut / close» -
occlude: from the Latin occludere: «to shut against»
from ob-: «against / in the way of» + claudere: «to shut / close»
The Latin «ob-» is from PIE root epi, opi: «near / at / against» -
preclude: from the Latin praecludere: «to shut before»
from pre-, prae-: «before / ahead» + claudere: «to shut / close»
and finally:
- recluse: from the Latin recludere: «to shut out»
from Latin re-, intensive prefix + claudere: «to shut / close»
After examining these the logical hypernyms for the inclusion/exclusion state could be «shutting«, «closing«, or (my preference) simply «closure«. Unfortunately these terms are not intuitive and would require far too extensive an explanation for most people to grasp.
There is a distinct difference between the formal and informal style in any language, and English is no different. It is quite common to find that specific phrases only apply in particular situations, while other expressions and phrases are mostly used only in a formal context, like in contracts or business.
“Including but not limited to” means that the terms listed are not limited to the explicit ideas expressed in the statement. It is a phrase most often used in legal documents or binding contracts. Comma placement in the phrase is most common before the “but” and after the “to”.
If you are drafting a legal or formal document, using the correct phrases and wording is of the utmost importance to get the proper point across and avoid loopholes. This article will explore the origin and use of the expression, “including but not limited to,” what it means, the punctuation that goes along with it, and how to correctly apply it.
If you use the phrase “including but not limited to” for a very short list of things, punctuating the actual phrase isn’t a grammatical necessity.
However, if you use it along with a very long or complex list, you can use commas so the reader can better understand what you mean.
The word “including” is a gerund, which means it is a verbal ending in -ing. A verbal is a word based on a verb and, therefore, it is used to indicate an action or state of being.
Although gerunds often need little to no punctuation, it is common to place a comma before a gerund like “including” (source).
Some example sentences using a comma before the gerund “including”:
I have many hobbies, including, but not limited to, horse riding, fencing, cricket, and painting.
My mom adores great artists, including, but not limited to, Van Gogh, Monet, and Dali.
Comma Use and the Oxford Comma
Writers often use the Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, in English with long and complex sentences, such as lists for items, which often occurs with the phrase “including but not limited to.”
The Oxford comma’s purpose is to indicate whether the two last things mentioned in a list are two separate things or whether they are examples of the previous thing.
| Punctuation | Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| No Oxford Comma | I love my parents, Rihanna and Sherlock Holmes. | This means that the speaker loves their parents and that their parents are Rihanna and Sherlock Holmes. |
| With Oxford Comma | I love my parents, Rihanna, and Garfield. | This is a list of people that includes parents, Rihanna, and Garfield, and the speaker loves all of them. |
If you were speaking, you would not be able to see the punctuation used and would have to use the context of the sentence to deduce its meaning.
However, when writing, although the oxford comma is optional, it easily clarifies the meaning of a sentence and makes it easier to read (source).
When you’re using the phrase “including but not limited to,” you would most likely list a large number of items, so the Oxford comma or serial comma would help with the readability of the sentence as a whole.
“Including but not limited to” Comma Placement
We can use commas in various ways to clarify the meaning and ease the readability of your sentence using “including but not limited to.”
The first is to omit the use of commas entirely. This has the potential to make your sentence seem clumsy and untidy if it includes an extensive list, but it is not wrong. Consider the following example:
The camp activities include but are not limited to team building, archery, and fishing.
As you can see from the above example, the only commas in use are in the actual list, but that’s because the list is short, and the meaning is still clear.
However, many people may find this writing style clumsy, as it seems like a really long sentence that does not offer the reader any breaks.
Therefore, the better way to write a sentence using the phrase “including but not limited to” would be to place commas after the “including” and after the “to,” as in this example:
The camp activities include, but are not limited to, team building, archery, and fishing.
This writing style offers the reader two breaks in a very long sentence and, as a bonus, looks neat and tidy.
When using commas to break up a sentence, the important thing to remember is that the first and last parts should still make sense even if you take the bit between the commas away.
The camp activities include team building, archery, and fishing.
As you can see, the sentence has retained its meaning but is now vaguer, and the possibility of other activities isn’t as obvious.
That is why we use the full phrase “including but not limited to” — the “but not limited to” implies there is more to the list than what is mentioned outright.
If you were to use the Oxford comma, it wouldn’t change the sentence’s meaning at all and would still be correct (source).
The camp activities include team building, archery, and fishing.
The camp activities include, but are not limited to, team building, archery, and fishing.
Using “Including but not Limited To” in a Sentence
As with any English phrase, “including but not limited to” needs to have properly conjugated verbs depending on the context.
For this phrase specifically, you would conjugate only the word “including,” but remember that the rest of the sentence needs to be in line with the proper conjugations related to the subject and the noun.
Because “including but not limited to” is often used with the word “is,” you will need to conjugate the “is” as well. Let’s look at how we conjugate verbs for “including but not limited to” for a singular or plural subject.
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | The English alphabet includes but is not limited to the letters A, B, and C. | School activities include but are not limited to hockey, netball, and basketball. |
| Explanation | “Alphabet” is singular, so you use “includes” and “is.” | “Activities” is plural, so you use “include” and “are.” |
Examples Using “Including but not Limited To”
As we’ve discussed, the phrase “including but not limited to” can be used to indicate that the things named in a certain list are part of something larger, and the larger thing may also include other items not mentioned.
Although it is a legal term, we can also use the phrase in everyday speech, especially if you’re concerned there is something you just couldn’t think of at that moment but that you wouldn’t want to exclude. Below are some sentence examples.
My reading list includes, but is not limited to, Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, and Atonement.
The company will also pay usual and normal administrative expenses, including, but not limited to, hotel stays, shuttles, and food.
Organizations, including, but not limited to, businesses, unions, charities, and corporations, aren’t citizens and, therefore, cannot vote.
Our itinerary includes but is not limited to a zoo visit, a museum visit, and lunch at the deli.
I enjoy takeaways, including, but not limited to, KFC, Pizza Hut, and McDonald’s.
Origin and Applications of “Including but not Limited To”
The phrase “including but not limited to” originated in the legal field and has since migrated to other official contexts where specific wording is necessary to cover any potential loopholes.
Although writers mostly use this phrase in a legal or contractual context, it can also be applied in everyday informal speech, although this isn’t a widespread occurrence.
Legal Use
When writing legal documents, exceptional care needs to be paid to word use, as ambiguous meanings or interpretations can have catastrophic or costly impacts.
This is why seemingly redundant phrases such as “including but not limited to” are developed specifically for contractual use.
Even though the words “including” and “not limited to” are similar in meaning, it is important in a legal context to use both as it limits the possibility of ambiguity.
This means that using “including” by itself can lead to the understanding that only what someone specifically stated or laid out is included.
If you use both “including” and “not limited to,” this opens up the possibility that the person drafting the document implies the inclusion of a large range of items without the need to list every single one of them.
For example, you could say that the alphabet includes the letters A, B, and C. You will notice that, although the other letters have been left out, the possibility remains that they are also included.
Still, the possibility also exists that the drafter deliberately left out the other letters so as to exclude them.
If you were to say that the alphabet includes but is not limited to the letters A, B, and C, you ensure that the others are included as well by default.
Although this is a commonly used phrase in legal jargon, certain judges may still consider it vague if someone were to challenge it.
That means that, should a proper case be made for it, a judge may rule in favor of the opposing party if they said that “including but not limited to” was too vague as it did not specifically note down each of the items to be included (source).
Everyday Use
Although the expression “including but not limited to” is generally used for formal speech, contracts, or in a legal context, you can also informally use the phrase outside of the context of binding contracts or legal documents.
It isn’t very common for English speakers to use this phrase in their everyday language, but using it does not sound awkward.
In an everyday context, the phrase simply means you are implying the set of items or things you list is part of a larger group of things you are not listing specifically.
For example, you could say, “Our day will include but is not limited to a zoo visit, lunch at the local deli, and a tour of the museum.” If used in this context, you are saying that you may do other things during the day, although you do not specifically state them.
This merely means that, although there are things you include in the list, you may not have thought of everything yet but don’t want to rule out other possibilities (source).
Although the words “including” and “not limited to” are similar, though not identical, in meaning, adding “not limited to” expands on “including” to broaden the scope of things covered.
Often words with similar meanings are confused by second-language learners, but that does not mean that it is impossible to learn. Another example is “make do” or “make due,” although both mean the same, only one is generally used.
Final Thoughts
The appropriate way to use the phrase “including but not limited to” is when you list several things as examples of a larger group. The group may be so large that you cannot name all of the items, or you may simply be unable to think of the rest of the list at that moment.
Writers generally use “including but not limited to” in a legal context and often used in contracts or binding agreements when merely using “including” alone could lead to a costly loophole.
Using the entire phrase implies that there is more to the list than meets the eye and that it encompasses aspects that you did not state outright. We can also use it in everyday speech, but this is far less common.
The English language is full of important phrases we use and see every day. “Include but not limited to” is one of these phrases. But how do you use this phrase? What does it mean and is there any punctuation for it?
What Does “Include but not limited to” Mean?
When you read the phrase, “include but not limited to,” it’s usually followed by a list of items most often associated with an idea. The caveat with the wording means it can go beyond what’s listed. Although the list mentions specific objects or ideas, the list isn’t bound to only what’s there.
How Do You Use the Phrase?
Often, it’s used in legal documentation and is specific to contracts. Even though the word “include” and the phrase, “not limited to” may seem as though they mean the same thing, they don’t. The qualifying phrase allows for unforeseen items without actually stating them in detail.
Examples of Use
For instance, if you are reading instructions for an all-around multipurpose cleaner, you might read something like: “For use on surfaces that include but not limited to wood, glass, marble, porcelain, stainless steel and etc.”
There will be times when using this phrase that may have a succession of verbs needing agreement. If you were talking about a friend’s many hobbies, you might say, “Her hobbies include but are not limited to – dancing, biking, running, hiking, playing tennis, golfing, swimming and practicing yoga.”
The Verb “to Be”
You will notice the injection of “are” between “but” and “not” to indicate conjugation of the verb “to be.” You always want to ensure your sentence agreement is obvious by making the verb reflect the action of a subject onto an object. In the example above, “her hobbies” is the subject, “are not limited to” is the verb and the subsequent list of hobbies is the object.
How Do You Punctuate the Phrase?
There isn’t any particular punctuation needed when writing “include but not limited to” as long as the list is short. You merely have to put commas in after each item on the list (as given in the examples above) and place the word “and” before the last item.
But, if you have a list that’s longer than five or six items, you want to use a colon (:) or dash (–). Ideally, the dash is for items less than 15 in number but more than five. For 15 items or more, you’d use the colon and then list each item. You can sometimes list each item on a separate line.
Using Language to Convey Meaning
Proper use and command of language allows for better projection of ideas and innermost thoughts. The phrase, “include but not limited to” can apply to daily life and legal documents that will expand your capacity to communicate. You can list concepts in a succinct way so a reader understands the list and knows it can go beyond it.
- Author
- Recent Posts
Conor is the main writer here at One Minute English and was an English teacher for 10 years. He is interested in helping people with their English skills and learning about using A.I tools at work.
Словосочетания
an elusive concept that means many things to many people — расплывчатая концепция, которую каждый понимает по-своему
it means that — это значит, что
by this means — таким образом
by this we mean — под этим мы понимаем
by this is meant — под этим подразумевается
it is mean of him — это подло с его стороны
it is mean / base — подло
what does it mean? — что это значит?
what this means is — это означает, что
this word means… — это слово значит…
this word means … — это слово значит …
what does all this mean? — что всё это значит?
explain to me what this means — объясните мне, что это значит
it will mean a lot of expense — это повлечёт за собой большие расходы
it doesn’t mean a thing to me — я не вижу в этом никакого смысла, мне это кажется совершенной бессмыслицей
it means a tremendous lot to me — это чрезвычайно важно для меня
what in the world does it mean? — что это наконец значит?
this does not necessarily mean that — это не обязательно означает, что
in words of one syllable it means … — проще говоря, это значит …
this means a serious draft on industry — для этого требуется высокоразвитая промышленность
concretely, this meant that he was broke — (если говорить) точнее, то это означало, что он был сломан
take it from me that he means what he says — поверьте мне, к тому, что он говорит, надо отнестись серьёзно
this was meant as a draw but he didn’t rise to it — это было провокацией, но он не поддался на неё; его пытались спровоцировать, но он не клюнул на приманку
you may take it from me that he means what he says — поверьте мне, к тому, что он говорит, надо отнестись серьёзно
it’s a tremendous thing for me, it means a tremendous lot to me — это чрезвычайно важно для меня
ещё 15 примеров свернуть
Автоматический перевод
те средства
Перевод по словам
that — что, чтобы, который, то, тот, та, так, до такой степени
mean — средний, серединный, скупой, среднее, среднее значение, означать, значить
Примеры
I can support a cause that means something to me.
Я могу оказать помощь делу, которое для меня что-то значит.
‘Vater’ is the German word for (=word that means) ‘father’.
«Vater» — это по-немецки (т.е. слово, которое по-немецки означает) «отец».
That means we’re home free. *
Это значит, что успех нам обеспечен.
It means a great deal to him.
Для него это очень много значит.
Loosely translated this means…
В вольном переводе это означает…
What, precisely, does that mean?
Что именно это значит?
I supposed it was meant to be so.
Я предположил, что так и было задумано.
ещё 23 примера свернуть
Примеры, отмеченные *, могут содержать сленг и разговорные фразы.
Примеры, ожидающие перевода
If that means delaying the trip, so be it. 
That didn’t come out the way I meant it to.
‘That’s not exactly what it means.’ ‘Pedant.’
It meant nothing to her, smiling at her reflection in the mirror.
«It means ‘aunt’ and is a title or honorific, like when he calls you ‘mister.’
Just because you’re older than me, it doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.
I thought he was joking when he said he might quit, but it turned out that he really meant it.
Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.